In honor of Chanukah (starting the evening of Dec. 16), CHANUKAH GUILT is only 99¢ on Kindle for 2 weeks (today to Dec. 23).
http://tinyurl.com/khszw8h
Now there’s no excuse for not buying the 2nd edition if you already have the 1st. And you get the bonus of a rewrite that allowed for appending an alternate solution.
When I first began to work as a spiritual support counselor for Samaritan Healthcare and Hospice, I was given a piece of advice that turned out to be all too accurate: When planning your visit schedule, figure on at least an hour more than you think you will need for each patient.
On October 20, I posted a blog here about a new/old book I planned to have up on Kindle, and possibly as a self-pubbed print book, by Chanukah. That’s Chanukah, 2014. That’s Chanukah, 2014, beginning on October 16, 2014. Not 2015.
The book is old in that a proposal for it, complete with outline and sample answers to sample questions, has been lurking on my laptop’s “ISS/Writing/Books” folder since around 2008. It’s new in that it has never been published in any format.
I figured I had plenty of time. The five weeks until December 1 should be enough time, I thought, even though I’d be spending two days with friends from my old neighborhood and another week in California. It’ll be easy and quick to finish the book, format it for Kindle and CreateSpace, do promo, and watch it shoot up in sales.
I was delusional, and not just about the sales projections. My self-imposed deadline was the worst miscalculation I’d made since I volunteered the end of last February to compile and edit Recipes by the Book: Oak Tree Authors Cook! “How long could it take to put together a cookbook?” I thought. “A couple of weeks?” Sure, that’s all it took, if “five months” is equal to “a couple of weeks.” And it’s still awaiting publication. (The formatting is more complicated than the publisher anticipated. At least, I’m guessing that’s the reason for the delay. Plus it’s probably at the bottom of the to-be-released list, below all the other terrific books OTP releases.)
The first problem became apparent as soon as I opened the file for the first time in six years. I discovered I had not answered as many sample questions as I had remembered.
Fortunately, I enjoy research. Unfortunately, I enjoy research. “That looks interesting,” I think as I click on a hyperlink. Which leads to another hyperlink. And another. Which leads to two hours of research that boils down to a two-sentence answer.
I subscribe to the philosophy of Matt Groening in School is Hell: “The simple way to avoid the stomach-churning agony of having to finish your thesis: read another book; repeat when necessary.” Substitute “book” for “thesis.” (Have I ever mentioned it took me ten years to finish my doctoral dissertation? Maybe I shouldn’t have had Groening’s “advice” taped to my computer monitor.)
Why 9 antlers – I mean candles – for Chanukah?
So, when will the book, titled Why Nine Candles For Chanukah? Answers to Questions You NeverThought to Ask, be done? Maybe by next week. That will still give me a week until Chanukah starts. Or maybe in two weeks, during Chanukah.
Or there’s always 2015.
In the meantime, I just found another fascinating link. Ooh, and look at all the Chanukah songs on YouTube!
On the Oak Tree Press blog: some of my thoughts about Bouchercon.
http://otpblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/a-bouchercon-report-from-ilene-schneider.html?m=1
MARILYN MEREDITH
I don’t know how Marilyn Meredith does it. She must be channeling the Energizer Bunny. She never stops. As an octogenarian, she’s still writing, publishing, promoting. And traveling (but not as much as before). And being an active participant in her church. And spending as much time as she can with her multi-generational family. I can barely post a blog entry monthly, but she goes on “blog tours” and posts one a day for a full month. Today her 28th stop is here, with a short piece about a legend that appears in her Deputy Tempe Crabtree series. (Did I mention that she writes two series?)
This is Marilyn’s third appearance here. On March 8, 2013, as F.M. Meredith, she wrote about why she uses a pen name for her Rocky Bluff P.D. series. (I told you she writes more than one series.) On her return visit on October 16, 2013, she asked “Where Is Bear Creek?” the setting of her Deputy Tempe Crabtree series.
Marilyn is the author of over thirty-five published novels, including the award winning Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series, the latest of which is River Spirits, from Mundania Press, and the Rocky Bluff P. D. series. She is a member of three chapters of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and on the board of the Public Safety Writers of America. She lives in the foothills of the Sierra. Visit her at http://fictionforyou.com and her blog at http://marilymeredith.blogspot.com/
See at the end for info. about how you win the chance to name a character in her next book or a free book. Also, there are links for purchasing River Spirits, and one for tomorrow’s blog tour stop.
I wish I knew how she does it.
From Marilyn:
THE HAIRY MAN
This is the third time the Hairy Man has made an appearance in a Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery.
HAIRY MAN PICTOGRAPH
Like the real Painted Rock site which is located on the Tule River Indian Reservation, pictographs of the Hairy Man can be found in the Painted Rock site on my fictional Bear Creek Indian Reservation. The legend of the Hairy Man is popular with the local Yokut Indians. He is described as “a creature that is like a giant with long shaggy hair” similar to the description of Big Foot.
The Indians have many stories and legends that include the Hairy Man. The modern belief of the Hairy Man in the Tule River Indian’s culture is that he is a spiritual, physical and mental protector of the tribe. To see the Hairy Man is to be blessed. He is also considered to be the guide for the recently dead.
Though I’ve never seen the Hairy Man, I’ve heard tales about those who have. I’ve had the privilege to visit the Painted Rock site and to view the pictographs of the Hairy Man and his family.
When I write about events that happen on the fictional reservation, it only seems fitting that the Hairy Man just might make his presence known.
Blurb for River Spirits:
While filming a movie on the Bear Creek Indian Reservation, the film crew trespasses on sacred ground, threats are made against the female stars, a missing woman is found by the Hairy Man, an actor is murdered and Deputy Tempe Crabtree has no idea who is guilty. Once again, the elusive and legendary Hairy Man plays an important role in this newest Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery.
How to Purchase River Spirits:
From the publisher, all formats:
http://mundania.com/book.php?title=River+Spirits
For Kindle:
Amazon paperback:
For Nook
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/river-spirits-marilyn-meredith/1120425385?ean=2940150347090
Contest: The winner will be the person who comments on the most blog posts during the tour.
He or she can either have a character in my next book named after them, or choose an earlier book in the Deputy Tempe Crabtree series—either a paper book or e-book.
Tomorrow you can read a review of River Spirits at http://thebookconnection.blogspot.com/
…. Now that it’s on the Deadly Ink website, I can officially announce that I will be the 2015 Fan Guest of Honor, Aug. 7-9, at the Hyatt in New Brunswick, NJ. I’m planning to speak about how I’m a fan because I’m a writer. And became a writer because I’m a fan. I’m in august company (in August): Brad Parks is Guest of Honor and E. F. Watkins the Toastmaster. http://www.deadlyink2014.org/Authors.html
The Introduction to the soon-to-be-released (I hope) book WHY NINE CANDLES FOR CHANUKAH? ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS YOU NEVER THOUGHT TO ASK:
Imagine: a foreign superpower invades an independent, sovereign nation, assumes its governance, bans the practice of its religion, desecrates its religious buildings, and subjugates its native population. A small band of guerilla fighters begins a war of attrition, terrorism, and rebellion against the much larger, more powerful, well financed, and better armed forces of the invaders. Against all odds, the rebels win, institute a new government, with the leaders of the rebellion as the rulers, and reestablish the religious rituals. As time passes, the formerly gallant saviors evolve into a dynastic, despotic monarchy, which is subsequently overthrown by a new superpower.
What does this story describe? The plot line for the latest installment of Star Wars? Events ripped from the latest (or not so latest) headlines? A parable of how power corrupts? A morality tale warning heroes that they are not exempt from the corrosive power of ego?
Perhaps, but what we also have are the elements contained in the holiday of Chanukah and the years following the successful revolt of the Maccabees against the Hellenistic Syrian Seleucid Kingdom and its ruler, Antiochus Epiphanes IV .
How did we get from the refusal of Mattathias and his five sons to bow down before idols and the humans who worshiped them to a holiday replete with Chanukah bushes, eight days of presents, houses trimmed with blue and white blinking lights, electric candles, potato pancakes, donuts, and chocolate coins?
Read on and find out!
Every time I open my Word program on my laptop, I am confronted with a directory named “Nine Candles.” In it are two files for a long-time work-in-progress, a requested outline and partial manuscript for a question-and-answer book called Why Nine Candles for Chanukah? It was requested and then unrequested by a publisher who had released a similar Q&A about Christmas. The editorial board later decided there wasn’t enough of an audience for such a book, I suspect because the Christmas one didn’t sell well.
So what to do with a WIP that was already nearing completion? At least I had asked all the questions, and knew the answers even if I hadn’t yet written them down (thus the outline part of the manuscript). Let it languish? Keep promising myself I’d finish it? Delete it? Or finally sit down, complete it, and then self-publish it as an e-book and, if there are enough requests, as a paperback?
After several years of ignored resolutions, I finally stopped procrastinating and am in the process of finishing the manuscript. Or will, once I post this blog.
The book consists of 90 questions. Not 100. Not 101. I like the idea of 90 questions, as it’s a multiple of 18. [For those of you who don’t know, 18 is the numerical value of the letters that spell the word Hebrew word for “life,” chai (the “ch” is pronounced as a guttural, as in the German “ich” – or the Hebrew Chanukah).]
Truth in advertising time: the number 90 is just coincidental. I can’t think of any other questions. If I had come up with 91 questions, or 102, or 73, I’m sure I could have also devised a meaningful reason to make the number seem a deliberate decision.
Here’s my request: Below are the questions. Are there any others you would like answered? Please let me know in the comments below, or, if you prefer, in an email to me at rabbi.author@yahoo.com.
And I promise the answers will be accurate. Or as accurate as 65 years of celebrating Chanukah, 2 years living in Israel, 5 years of rabbinical training, and Mr. Google can make them.
Here are the questions:
PART I: THE BASICS
Why are there so many different spellings of Chanukah?
Why does the English date of Chanukah change every year?
Why does Chanukah last eight days?
Did the oil really last eight days?
How did the story of the oil originate?
Are there other explanations for why the holiday lasts eight days?
PART II: THE MENORAH
What does menorah mean?
What is a chanukiah?
Why is there a ninth candle on the menorah?
What does shamash mean?
Why are there menorahs with eight candles?
What are the different customs for lighting the menorah?
Who were Hillel and Shammai?
When is the menorah lit?
When is the menorah lit on Friday night?
What are the prayers for lighting the menorah?
What is the difference between Ma’oz Tzur and “Rock of Ages”?
What does the word Chanukah mean?
PART III: OTHER BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Is there any other meaning of the word?
What is the origin of the holiday?
What is the meaning of Maccabee?
Who were the Hellenists?
Who were the Hasmoneans?
How did the Maccabean revolt begin?
Were the Maccabees fighting for religious or political freedom?
PART IV: SCRIPTURE
What are the different parts of the Hebrew Bible?
Is there an easy way to remember the contents?
What is the Talmud?
What is the Mishnah?
What is the Gemara?
Why is the Book of Maccabees not in the Hebrew Bible?
So then where is the Book of Maccabees?
What is the Apocrypha?
Who were Judith and Holofernes?
Who was Hannah?
What is the Scroll of the Hasmoneans?
PART V: HISTORY
Is there outside corroboration for the story?
Who was Josephus?
What did Josephus write about Chanukah?
Is Chanukah mentioned in the Christian Bible?
Does Modi’in still exist?
PART VI: TRADITION
What is the difference between a Holy Day and a holiday?
What other minor holidays are celebrated in Judaism?
Why is Purim in the Hebrew Bible and Chanukah is not?
If Chanukah is a minor holiday, why is it so widely celebrated?
Are there special synagogue services during Chanukah?
Do observant Jews work on Chanukah?
PART VII: AROUND THE WORLD
How was Chanukah celebrated in the Middle Ages?
Who are Ashkenazi Jews?
Who are Sephardi Jews?
But don’t they observe the same Judaism?
How is Chanukah celebrated by Ashkenazi Jews?
How is Chanukah celebrated by Sephardi Jews?
How is Chanukah celebrated in modern Israel?
How is Chanukah celebrated in the U.S.?
How is Chanukah celebrated today in other countries?
PART VIII: THE DREIDEL
What is a dreidel?
How is the dreidel game played?
What is gelt?
Is the game played differently in different cultures?
PART IX: EAT HEARTY
What is a latke?
Why do Jews eat latkes on Chanukah?
Can latkes be made from anything besides potatoes?
Recipes for potato latkes
Recipes for non-potato latkes (zucchini, etc.)
Sour cream or applesauce?
Why the differences in preferences?
Why is cheese another traditional food for Chanukah?
What do donuts have to do with Chanukah?
How did chocolate coins become traditional?
PART X: THE INFLUENCE OF CHRISTMAS ON CHANUKAH
Is there a connection between Chanukah and Christmas?
Why is the 25th of the winter month important?
Why are lights important to both holidays?
Why are gifts given on Chanukah?
Are there ways to avoid the gift-giving frenzy?
Are there any other gift giving holidays in Judaism?
What kinds of Chanukah decorations are there?
What is a Chanukah bush?
PART XI: POP GOES THE CULTURE
Chanukah as a symbol and metaphor
Chanukah in pop culture
Traditional songs
Children’s songs
Modern songs
Yiddish fiction
Hebrew fiction
English fiction for adults
English fiction for children
Live-action movies
Animated films
Non-fiction
Whew! Any additions?
Back to work. As they say (do they?): So many questions, so little time.
Join me and other NJ authors (and publishers!) at the first Belmar BookCon, Pyanoe Plaza (the brick pathway at Main Street and 9th Ave), Belmar, NJ. Sunday, Oct. 12, 10am-4pm. I’ll be selling, signing, and shmoozing. And if you sometimes need to write something by hand, I have pens (imprinted with my website/blog address, of course).
I’m very excited to have been asked to be on a panel at Bouchercon in Long Beach, CA, on Sat., Nov. 15, 4:30-5:30. I feel as though I’ve been asked to present an Academy Award.
The panel is called “You Say Traditional, I Say Cozy: Exploring the Boundaries of the Classic Mystery Novel,” and is moderated by Sarah Chen. I share the table with John Billheimer, Paul Bishop, Linda Joffe Hull, and Eric James Miller. It’s one of the first times I’ve been on a panel about cozies that has more men than women panelists.
Want to know how I fit in at the Public Safety Writers Association conference(s)? Find out in their Sept. newsletter; scroll down to the article A ‘60s ACTIVIST IN PSWA’S COURT
http://policewriter.com/wordpress/pswa-newsletter-september-2014/
rabbi.author 